Article by Larry Jock
Delaware anglers fish for free during National Fishing Week
To celebrate National Fishing Week, June 1-9, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife invites you to test your favorite Delaware waters for a taste of this year’s fishing, clamming and crabbing seasons by offering free fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9. On these two days, anyone may fish the state’s waters without a fishing license.
Anglers are reminded that even though they don’t need a license on those two days, if they intend to fish June 8 or 9, they are still required to obtain a free Fisherman Identification Network (F.I.N.) number. A free F.I.N. number can be obtained online at www.delaware-fin.com or by calling 1-800-432-9228. Anglers also are required to comply with Delaware’s fishing regulations, including size and daily catch limits.
National Fishing Week festivities will also include DNREC’s 27th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Sponsored by the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Enforcement Section, the event will take place at a pond in each county: Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Wyoming Pond in Wyoming’s Town Park and the dog training area at Lums Pond State Park in Bear.
The Youth Fishing Tournament is part of Delaware’s Children in Nature Initiative, a statewide effort
to improve environmental literacy in Delaware, create opportunities for children to participate in enriching outdoor experiences, combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. Delaware’s multi-agency initiative, which partners state and federal agencies with community organizations, is part of the national No Child Left Inside program.
